Best Kept honour for Carrick’s Hawthorns Adult Centre

Hawthorns Adult Day Centre, Carrick, was runner-up in the Northern Health Trust area in the day care category of the Open+Direct Insurance Best Kept Health and Social Care Facility Awards. Pictured are: Maria Crawford, Hawthorns Adult Day Centre, Isabel Kidd ( LDD Services manager, Northern Trust), Jack Johnson, Hawthorns, , Richard Pengelly, Permanent Secretary, Department of Health), Ellen Burke, Hawthorns, Ian Campbell, Open + Direct Insurance, Glengormley branch, John Laverty, Open + Direct Insurance and Doreen Muskett MBE, chair, NI Amenity Council. INCT 38-704-CON

It was the Northern Health Trust area runner up in the day care category of the competition which is run by the Northern Ireland Amenity Council.

The awards recognise the staff and residents of day care, residential and healthcare facilities who showcased their dedication and pride in their workplace or residential care homes by improving their surroundings.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Doreen Muskett MBE, chair of the NIAC said: “We were extremely impressed by each of the entries in this category. The staff, residents and volunteers at each facility do a sterling job in creating and maintaining such creative, beautiful and well-kept spaces and are to be commended for their wonderful efforts.”

Extending congratulations to all the successful participants, John Laverty, from Open+Direct Insurance, added: “These facilities provide a wonderful service to the community on a daily basis and this accomplishment illustrates how the staff and volunteers who manage them go the extra mile to create tranquil and beautiful surroundings which are an essential part of the therapeutic care provided. ”

Speaking at the event, Richard Pengelly, Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health, said: “These awards are a great way for health and social care teams and their clients to work together in an effort to make the very best of their shared environment.

“It is encouraging to hear how much work they have put into maintaining and improving both their indoor and outdoor spaces and what a difference this will make to the health and well-being of service users, which is so important in a health and social care setting.”